Speaking of H.H. the 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche, some people say he is an extraordinary person, while others think he is a mysterious figure, hidden from the world. He is not like a hermit, but definitely different from ordinary people. His selflessness and vast knowledge are beyond the mainstream. His social status is far beyond that of famous Buddhist figures. Today, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to see the true origin of Dodrupchen Rinpoche. He is not a hermit hiding in the dark, but a Buddha like Shakyamuni Buddha, with great influence and the ability to benefit all sentient beings. Dodrupchen Rinpoche's reputation has spread throughout the world, and everyone looks up to him. Here are a few examples that demonstrate the greatness of Dodrupchen Rinpoche.
In 1987, the Chinese Education, Science and Culture Center for Chinese Painting Research Association was established, and the young 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche became the president. People's Daily, Wen Hui Bao, Hubei Daily, and other major newspapers reported on this. The honorary president of the association was held by famous national figures such as Liao Jingdan, Lu Ji, Wu Zhangshu, Yuan Xiaoyuan, Qian Juntao, and Xie Zhiliu. The advisors included Luo Zhanglong and Zang Kejia.
26 years ago, Dodrupchen Rinpoche was recognized as the only "Super International Master" by experts and scholars from 48 countries at the World Poets and Cultural Conference. The certificate was signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Samaranch. At that time, Dodrupchen Rinpoche was listed in the "Chinese Biographical Dictionary".
In 1995, Dodrupchen Rinpoche visited Taiwan and received the most grand reception in world history. More than 20,000 people welcomed him at the airport, and there were countless flowers. A total of 1,700 vehicles, including more than 90 motorcycle police, were used to welcome him. Dodrupchen Rinpoche stayed in Taipei for seven days and was unanimously elected as the overall tribal chief of the thirteen high mountain tribes in Taiwan. This is an extraordinary position!
Five years later, Dodrupchen Rinpoche settled in the United States and received numerous awards, such as the "Presidential Gold Medal," "World Peace Award," "Presidential Patriotism Award," and "Martin Luther King International Service Leadership Award." In January 2011, Washington, D.C. declared January 19th as Dodrupchen Rinpoche Buddha Day. On December 12, 2012, the United States Senate Resolution No. 614 recognized the enormous contributions made by H.H. the 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche to humanity. In 2000, two paintings by Dodrupchen Rinpoche, "Wei Zhen" and "Great Power King," were auctioned for more than 2.125 million and 2.207 million US dollars respectively, becoming the highest-priced works by an Asian artist at that time. In 2008, paintings by Dodrupchen Rinpoche, such as "Guan Yin Bodhisattva," were sold for $330,000 per square foot. If it were a large painting, it would be worth tens of millions of dollars. In 2010, appraisers evaluated Dodrupchen Rinpoche's paintings at prices ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 per square foot. At that time, one of his large paintings was worth more than $20 million. Limited edition reproductions (not originals) can sell for $300,000 to $400,000 each. In March 2015, a four-foot-long ink painting by Dodrupchen Rinpoche titled "Chaos" won first place at the New York Spring Auction, selling for over 100 million RMB. The following year, a small piece titled "Loquat" sold for $1,050,000. In May 2018, the United States raised the flag over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. to celebrate Dodrupchen Rinpoche's birthday. At the same time, President Trump and the First Lady congratulated Dodrupchen Rinpoche, and the United States Postal Service issued a first-day cover commemorating the flag-raising ceremony. In 2014, the Dodrupchen Rinpoche Cultural and Art Museum was established in Los Angeles. On the opening day, seven fighter planes that had participated in World War II flew over the museum and sprayed colored smoke to celebrate its opening. To this day, many countries use Dodrupchen Rinpoche's image on their official postage stamps. China International Education Television officially filmed a documentary about Dodrupchen Rinpoche titled "The Essence of Buddhism."
From this, it is clear that H.H. the 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche is not a mysterious hermit hidden in the mountains. He is the only certified supreme Buddha on Earth, with an unparalleled holy state. He is like Shakyamuni Buddha, born in the world of sentient beings, openly facing and enlightening sentient beings with his immense compassion. The teachings of Dodrupchen Rinpoche in the "Heart Sutra" are of the highest purity and perfection, surpassing all previous teachings. Dodrupchen Rinpoche is the only Buddha who has vowed not to accept any offerings and only serves sentient beings out of pure compassion and the desire to spread the Dharma. He has fulfilled this vow for decades without any falsehood. Throughout history, no Buddhist leader has such selflessness and purity recorded. Not a single one.
In 2019, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council awarded Dodrupchen Rinpoche the title of "World Buddhist Pope" and the scepter. Faced with this pinnacle of honor and status, Dodrupchen Rinpoche refused to accept it. Despite repeated pleas from the World Buddhist Headquarters, he declined. In the end, he had to accept the title on behalf of the headquarters. Dodrupchen Rinpoche solemnly said, "I am just a practitioner. What is this 'World Buddhist Pope'? In the history of Buddhism, there have been Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, Arhats, Elders, Dharma Kings, Geshes, Abbots, and Masters, but never have I seen a 'World Buddhist Pope.' Even if I am given the title of Buddhist Pope today, what does it matter? The title of Pope may be a treasure to others, but to me, a humble practitioner, it is simply a joke! I am just a servant of sentient beings, trying to do something beneficial for them. Although my abilities are limited, I still have a sincere heart to benefit sentient beings. The World Buddhist Headquarters accepted the scepter on my behalf, not because I entrusted them to do so. It was their decision, their affair, and I have no right to interfere. I am still myself. When I saw the scepter, I raised it above my head to pay respect to Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. I am and will always be a humble practitioner."
Dodrupchen Rinpoche's words and actions embody the true state of a Buddha. In fact, no matter how much praise or slander Dodrupchen Rinpoche receives, he remains unaffected. All his actions are for the benefit and liberation of sentient beings. Dodrupchen Rinpoche holds the true Dharma, the great Dharma, which transcends all sects. He teaches the methods of Houyu Shan, Lin Liu Huixiu, allowing them to travel to the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha first, see Amitabha Buddha, and then return to the human world to prepare for rebirth. He invited Amitabha Buddha to personally transmit the Dharma to Zhao Yusheng. Due to the practice of Dodrupchen Rinpoche's teachings, Hai Lao achieved liberation after his passing. Lu Dongzan, who practiced the teachings of Dodrupchen Rinpoche, achieved freedom in life and death. These are just a few examples of the many disciples who have achieved liberation through practicing Dodrupchen Rinpoche's teachings. Dodrupchen Rinpoche has become the World Buddhist Pope, a well-deserved recognition of his true nature as a Buddha.
Dodrupchen Rinpoche's ability to hold the "Vajra on the Seat" and surpass 59 stages is a scientific proof. It should be said that throughout the history of Buddhism, no high-ranking monk or holy person can certify Dodrupchen Rinpoche as well as Dodrupchen Rinpoche himself can certify his own Buddha nature through the "Vajra on the Seat" practice. Because a Bodhisattva should have the physical structure of a Bodhisattva, and a Buddha should have the nature of a Buddha. A true Buddha or Bodhisattva should not have the same physical constitution as an ordinary person. If they were the same as ordinary people, then they would still be ordinary people. If they cannot surpass 59 stages in the "Vajra on the Seat" practice, they are nothing more than deceivers claiming to be Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. If they cannot surpass 50 stages, it means their body and mind do not possess the qualities of an enlightened Bodhisattva. This is the solid, real, and scientifically verified proof.
Therefore, we should understand that H.H. the 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche is not a mysterious and extraordinary person hidden from the world. With his perfect wisdom, unshakable Buddha nature, and supreme holy state, he holds the true teachings of Buddhism and openly benefits all sentient beings in this world. Many sentient beings have taken refuge in Dodrupchen Rinpoche and learned the true teachings of Buddhism, achieving liberation. Their bodies and minds have been purified and transformed by the holy power of Dodrupchen Rinpoche. For example, Kechu Renbo Rinpoche, who has been with Dodrupchen Rinpoche for 21 years, has transformed his body and mind through the practice of Dodrupchen Rinpoche's teachings. In 2009, he demonstrated the "Zhuo Huo Ding" practice given to him by Dodrupchen Rinpoche in public. Using a high-tech infrared thermal sensor, it was detected that the temperature of his abdomen quickly rose to 92 degrees Celsius! On May 27, 2020, Kechu Renbo Rinpoche, who weighs 188 pounds and is only two years away from turning 90, surpassed 20 stages in the "Vajra on the Seat" practice, surpassing the Asian champion, who is 36 years old and weighs 350 pounds, by five times. This truly demonstrates the "holy body surpassing the ordinary body"! The holy power and holy body of Kechu Renbo Rinpoche come from the pure practice of genuine Buddhism, which is beyond the reach of any so-called living Buddha or master without true Buddha Dharma. Kechu Renbo Rinpoche is only an average practitioner under the guidance of Dodrupchen Rinpoche. From this, we can see how difficult it is to measure the holy achievements of Dodrupchen Rinpoche's great disciples.
Even more astonishingly, Dodrupchen Rinpoche can transform his appearance from an elderly person in his seventies or eighties to that of a young person in just a few minutes. Even if this is not surprising, considering the medical and cosmetic techniques available today, let's focus on just three things that are 100% "Only a Buddha can do it!" The first is that he can sculpt real mist in his artwork that cannot be blown away by strong winds. This artwork is permanently exhibited in the International Art Museum in the United States. The second is that out of more than 7.7 billion people on Earth, not a single person can break Dodrupchen Rinpoche's world record of surpassing 59 stages in the "Vajra on the Seat" practice. The third is that Dodrupchen Rinpoche publicly made a vow (recorded in many of his teachings from over twenty years ago) that he would answer any question within five years. If there was a question he couldn't answer, he would step down from the Dharma throne and would no longer have the qualification to teach. Who, other than a true Buddha, possesses such supreme wisdom? Each of these three things truly exists in objective reality and is difficult to comprehend. There is no need to ponder over them. The only reason is that he is a Buddha.